Swing Suit Records
Swing Suit Records is California’s newest blues label. Formed in 2007, Swing Suit Records specializes in post-modern contemporary west coast blues, or California Blues. Here is some info on our artists.
Swing Suit Records: Artists
John Parker
--“John Parker is a “House Rockin’ Blues artist that will make you leave your seat and get up on your dancin’ feet. His high energy style is something you won’t soon forget.”
-Easy Reader News / 2006
John Parker was born in Santa Cruz, California into a very colorful heritage. His grandmother was a Spanish princess from the De La Guerra family which founded Santa Barbara, his father was the NASCAR Driver of the Year for 1956 and his mother was also a race car driver. John had many tales about being strapped in the race car with his younger brother, both surrounded by pillows during the races. He started out life in the fast lane and continued to live it that way till the end - laughing and loving it all the way.
John fell into music at an early age and played his way across the country and wound up in Atlanta, Georgia where he found his “Blues Calling” and stayed there for several years performing with many great artists - Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Butch Travette & the Alley Cats, the late Piano Red, Delbert McClinton and Doug Kershaw and his good friends Tinsley Ellis and Doug James.
Moving back to the West Coast, he continued to play what he loved about Georgia the most - the Blues. He became very involved in the entertainment industry and became the leader and driving force behind 3 different bands - Forced Call, The Parker-Jensen Band and finally The John Parker Blues Band. He also discovered he had Liver Cancer but it never stopped John, it just made him more determined to live his life to the fullest. He even had a Liver transplant and was back on stage just 21 days later, held together with staples, gauze and tape in freezing cold weather, so he wouldn’t disappoint his fans.
John used his music to convey a message of hope against all odds and became the President of the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society, Entertainment Chairman for the Santa Clarita Valley “Relay For Life” (the 10th largest in the U.S.) and performed for many other Relays and Charities, helping to raise more than $4.8 MILLION for American Cancer Society, Write 4 Hope, Ride Across America, Celebration On The Hill and Blues For The Cause.
--Winner of the 2008 Rock City Music "Lifetime Achievement Blues Award"
--Winner of the 2007 Rock City Music Award for "Best Blues Band of the Year"
--Chicago Blues Guide's "Featured Blues Artist for 2007"
“John Parker - Self Titled”:
2008 - Winner - Los Angeles Regional "Best Self Produced CD"
2008 - 2 Songs featured on N.C.I.S / CBS TV
2008 - 4 Songs in Broadjam’s “Top 10" Music Charts
"Self Titled" - Now playing on 156 Blues Radio Stations around the World and hit #41 the "Roots Blues Top 50" Charts after just EIGHT DAYS of Airplay and is going strong - It is now being requested by syndicated Country Radio Stations as well!!
John's new "Self Titled" CD is is filled with very up tempo West Coast Blues. John has always written songs that are funny, true to life and personal...and none are more personal than the ones he wrote for this CD. “Self Titled” was long in the making and is about his challenges, victories, courage and fears. His music became his medicine, kept him going for several years and gave him the most happiness of anything in the world. This new CD is his “mark on the world” and has inspired multitudes of people who know him and have heard it.
As a true believer in living life to it's fullest, John's music and new "Self Titled" CD follows his favorite quote: "Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile. Life may not be the party you hoped for but while we are here - we should dance."
John actually put his finishing touches on “Self Titled” just three days before he passed away and of course, he even did that with his own extraordinary style...he just looked up at the sky, got a huge grin on his face and was gone in a flash!!
---"I've Got The Blues" is a real smoker featuring some of John's best guitar work and some real hot piano blues. As on most tracks, the rhythm section's at it's peak"
---"There's nothing worse than having the Blues "Early In The Morning" but on the other hand, if ya gotta get up early in the morning, this one will have you doin' a calypso before you even have your coffee. Great percussion and backup vocals highlight this Island sounding tune"......
---"With the rest of the band in a real soft groove behind him, "Hopeless Romance " is all about the man, his vocals, his guitar, his thoughts and his emotions. This is JOHN PARKER at his best. I dare you to not hit replay at the end of this one"......
---"Do yourself a favor and check John's music out. This may very well be the most interesting CD I've heard all year."
-Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro - Mary4Music, 12/08
---“In the song “I’ll Never Give Up”, Parker says he’d only change one thing if he could live his life all over again - He’d find a cure for the Blues. Well it’s certain that music such as his does the job.”
---“I’ve Got The Blues Baby” swings with joy, while lyrics paint a picture of shared lowdown feelings."
---“Parker sings ‘em clearly, convincingly and adds his “signature” swingin’ rythmic touch to each song.'
---"Waitin' For The Water To Rise" proves poignant as the Bluesman sings about the dangers that can happen to anyone...anywhere. Cancer took him all too soon but John Parker's message and music will live on forever."
-Jim Santella - Southland Blues Magazine, 7/08
John Parker - "Self Titled" CD is on sale at:
www.JohnParkerBlues.com/albums
www.CDBaby.com/JohnParker
www.ITunes.com/JohnParker
www.Amazon.com/JohnParker
www.BandVillage.com/JohnParker
Nick Gordon
Nick Gordon is one of those rare musical talents. Nick is an outstanding songwriter, a great singer and a hot guitar player, a true triple threat. Nick has worked with some big names in the music industry including the recording of a demo track with Gerry Goffin, (co-writer of “One Fine Day”, “Up on the Roof”, “Saving All My Love for You”), and Barry Goldberg, (Electric Flag, Chicago Blues Reunion) in 2006. Goldberg, who has performed with and produced Bob Dylan and founded the Goldberg/Miller Blues Band with Steve Miller in the 60’s, described the CD as “Great songs, Great blues, Great voice”. “Chronic Blues Party” is set for National release on Swingsuit Records October 20, 2007 with a fall and spring tour slated to promote the release.
“Chronic Blues Party”
Nick Gordon’s debut ablum is loaded with musical and lyrical hooks, while delivering some of the hottest solo work on guitar, blues harp, and keyboards. Hellhounds and Let’s Make a Deal are traditional blues arrangements, while still sounding exciting and fresh. Tapcity, Roll This Joint and Bluesman, are blues with rock and pop influences making them edgy and appealing while also delivering smokin’ hot solos. Other tracts on the CD are a mix of rock and ballads, including “Baltimore” which became a #1 hit in Australia.
Nick is currently working with Goldberg on songs for his follow-up CD due for release in summer of 2008. The musicians are a veritable who’s who of Rock-n-Roll’s most successful session and touring pros, such as; Gary Mallaber, (Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Miller, Van Morrison etc.), Bob Glaub, (Jackson Browne, Tracy Chapman, Crosby Stills and Nash, Rod Stewart, Don Henley, etc.), Johnny Lee Schell, (Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Taj Mahal, etc).
“Great songs, Great blues, Great voice”.
- Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag, Chicago Blues Reunion)
“Chronic Blues Party powers me up and makes me want to dance, all killer no filler”
-Leo Shumaker KCSB Bluesland Radio 91.9 Santa Barbara Blues Society
“Many show up to hear the guitar pyrotechnics of Roby Duron. It’s a wonder the Christmas Lights don’t explode”
-Bill Locey Ventura Co. Star.
Kyle Culkin
Kyle Culkin was born August 16th, 1983 in West Hills, California. Raised in a large family, he was introduced to music at an early age and began listening to everything from jazz and pop, to blues and classic rock. Always having an appreciation for music, he began playing the violin in middle school and played in many classical concerts all the way through high school. He then moved on to blues and rock. Kyle began playing clubs all over California, quickly drawing crowds and developed a reputation as an up and coming guitar player with a passion and intensity that is unparalleled. Some of his biggest influences are BB King, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
“Kyle Culkin Band”
Originally released August 2006, Kyle Culkin has re-released his self titles debut album on Swing-Suit records! Newly remixed then remastered by world famous Robert Hadley of the Mastering Lab, this album is ready to go. The record combines a rootsy rock sound with a blues base and demonstrates a great variety of guitar work. The driving rhythm section works with a selection of diverse musicians to deliver a slammin' selection of original tunes and Kyle's interpretation of a three blues classics. The album is sure to please.
--"His blazing guitar lights up the room and leaves nothing but smoke and ashes behind."
-Southland Blues Magazine
--An up and coming guitar player with a pumped-up rocking blues style."
-The Studio City Sun
--"Brings a lot of energy to the stage and drives his guitar with fire."
-Southland Blues Magazine
The Jeff Jensen Band
The Jeff Jensen Band is now on over 150 radio stations around the United States as well as stations in Denmark, England, Canada, Australia, Germany, Argentina, Belgium and many more to come. Now signed to Swing Suit Records the Jeff Jensen Band is now extensively touring the West-Coast and surrounding states.
History
The Jeff Jensen Band was formed May of 2004. Since then, the band has performed hundreds of gigs. Some of the most impressive have been with Deborah Coleman, Paul Oscher, and blues legend BB KING as part of his 80th birthday tour. The band has competed in the International Blues Challenge in 2005 representing the Santa Clarita Blues Society, 2006 representing the Pinetop Perkins Blues Society, once again in the 2007 IBC representing Santa Clarita Blues Society. Now the band is touring 20-27 dates a month around the West-Coast and surrounding states.
“Self Titled”
Self Titled” is the Jeff Jensen Band’s first album. Released March 31, 2007. This album contains 10 original songs composed primarily by Jeff Jensen and Nate LaPointe, and 3 blues standards.
Produced by Jeff Jensen and Nate LaPointe, “Self Titled” demonstrates this young bands ability to respect tradition while showing impressive originality and creativity. This is a fun album with humorous and playful songs like “Cat Song”, and “Driving Wheel”; it has passionate down home blues like “Damn Fine Woman”, and “Fine Myself All Alone”; Out of the box originals like “I Fell”, “Can’t Believe We’re Through” and “Something In The Water” and great hooks with “Here I Come Again”, and “Something About You”. It really has something for everyone, a multi-genre blues album.
---"The Jeff Jensen Band features blues the way it’s supposed to be: firm in the grasp of tradition while offering a fresh voice that can be enjoyed by any audience."
---"This first album is a sure-fire winner, and quite naturally beckons the start of a long and rewarding career that’s steeped in tradition while offering this southern California sound to a wider audience."
-Jim Santella - Southaland BLUES Mag review April 2007 (Apr 1, 2007)
---"I’ve known Jeff and the band for going on four years now and I find this record is a good reflection of their tastes and the diversity of their backgrounds. They’ve played together a long time which is evident in how tight this record is and they’re not afraid to take chances, which is good."
---"I must admit I’m at a loss on “Cat Song”, written by Nate LaPointe. I get the fact his wife left him & she took the cat with her but Nate, if it ain’t a dog…it aint worth fighting for!! Nuff said!"
-Kyle (Pres. Phoenix Blues Society) (Aug 10, 2007)
---"Jeff Jensen's self titled debut CD is well produced and a very strong representation of one of the more talented blues bands in the LA area, great job guys!!"
-Michael John